Principal Specialist in Student Success Global Workforce Development and Experiential Learning

Purdue University's College of Science is a leading hub for innovation and scientific discovery, home to more than 6,000 undergraduate and 1,500 graduate students, with campus operations in West Lafayette and Indianapolis. The College offers degree programs across the life, physical, computational, and mathematical sciences, delivering world‑class research and a transformative educational experience that equips students to tackle today's toughest global challenges.

This is a full‑time on‑site role for a Principal Specialist in Student Success for Global Workforce Development and Experiential Learning. This is a master‑level expert who will design, lead, and scale experiential education initiatives that integrate workforce readiness, global engagement, and professional competencies across College of Science disciplines in West Lafayette and Indianapolis. Reporting to the Senior Director of Student Success, this position works closely with academic departments, advisors, alumni, corporate partners, and key university offices, including the Center for Career Opportunities, Study Abroad, Experiential Education, Undergraduate Research, and Pre‑Professional Advising.

Key responsibilities include leading innovative experiential learning initiatives, embedding workforce and global readiness into curricula and co‑curricular programs, cultivating alumni and employer partnerships, and using data to assess impact. The Principal Specialist will also brief and advise College leaders on emerging trends and strategic priorities in experiential and global learning.

Education and Experience

Required:

• Master’s degree in higher education administration, international education, STEM education, business, or a closely related field
• Minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible leadership experience in experiential learning, global education, workforce development, and/or student success, ideally within a STEM or research‑intensive environment
• Demonstrated ability to develop and scale programs at the college level that produce measurable outcomes in student employment and professional competency development
• Proven success building collaborative partnerships with faculty, employers, alumni, and global partners and influencing stakeholders to adopt new concepts, practices, or approaches in experiential and global learning
• Valid US driver’s license

Preferred:

• Doctorate in higher education, science education, organizational leadership, global education, or a closely related field
• Demonstrated success in securing and managing corporate partnerships to support student success initiatives
• Experience:
• leading large‑scale experiential education or career development initiatives in a complex environment
• integrating data analytics and assessment practices into program evaluation and decision making
• living abroad for one year or longer
• An equivalent combination of education and experience may also be considered.

Skills Required:

• Strong understanding of global workforce trends, STEM career pathways, and employer expectations for graduates
• Excellent communication, organizational, and collaborative skills
• Demonstrated commitment to fostering community and belonging in student success initiatives

Preferred:

• Fluency in a language other than English
• Knowledge of global education trends and experience managing international partnerships or student mobility programs
• Familiarity with industry‑recognized career readiness frameworks (i.e., NACE competencies or similar models) and their application in science education

Interested candidates should apply through the Purdue University career portal: (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below). Specialist Student Success _Linked In